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During the recent Spanish cycling tour, the team faced multiple interruptions as Palestinian-supporting demonstrators staged protests regarding Israel's military campaign in the Gaza Strip

Squad representatives described the recent period as "a particularly difficult time" but recognized "the need for change"

"With strong dedication to our riders, staff, and important sponsors, the choice has been made to rename and restructure the team, shifting departing from its present Israeli identity"

"Within sports, advancement often demands compromise, and this measure is crucial to securing the future of the team"

Team Background and Composition

Israel-Premier Tech team, which features several UK riders among them multiple French cycling tour winner Chris Froome, is registered in Israel and controlled by Canadian-Israeli property tycoon Sylvan Adams

Originally founded as the Cycling Academy in 2014, the organization has been supported by Canadian company Premier Tech since 2022

Recent Incidents and Demonstrations

Throughout the three-week Spanish tour, numerous demonstrations and interruptions took place, primarily targeting the involvement of the Israel-Premier Tech

Halfway through the race, the squad stopped displaying their full name on their cycling uniforms

The final leg of the race around Madrid was cancelled following pro-Palestinian demonstrations that resulted in scuffles with riders and obstructed the route in several locations

Recent Changes

Within the changes, squad owner Sylvan Adams will withdraw from his daily role and will cease speak on the team's representation

The sixty-six-year-old businessman has been closely linked with Benjamin Netanyahu's administration and has previously described himself as a "self-appointed representative to Israel"

International Reaction

World cycling regulatory body the UCI has declared it will persist to welcome Israel-based competitors at its competitions despite calls for sporting sanctions

After United Nations commission conclusions that stated the nation has performed mass killing against Palestinians in the territory - a claim that the government denies - there have been growing demands for the country to be banned from global soccer competition

Context of Conflict

Israeli defense forces launched a operation in the Gaza Strip in response to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 additional people were taken hostage

Based on reports from the territory's Hamas-run health ministry, at least 67,139 people have been fatally injured in Israeli attacks in Gaza since then

Perspective: Corporate Branding Factors

This choice constitutes a significant acknowledgment by the team and its owner Sylvan Adams that the inclusion of Israeli branding is creating unease in environments such as professional sport

The owner's involvement in Israel's political affairs is widely recognized, though not formally assigned

The team started primarily due to Adams' enthusiasm for cycling, and belief that the activity can unite societies more united in parts of the globe distant from its continental heartland

Regardless of several Grand Tour stage victories, Israel-Premier Tech has found the competition level challenging to maintain at points at the elite level, and cannot risk to jeopardize financial backers such as Canadian agricultural chemical specialists Premier Tech

Being a multi-billionaire businessman, Adams recognizes that corporate brand reputation is paramount